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Tradition meets fitness

LaSalle Language Academy students take part in both school tradition and physical fitness through annual event.

October 26, 2009

Photo by Dave Saradin

On Thursday, October 8, hundreds of K-8 students participated in the LaSalle Long Distance Classic, a race around the perimeter of the LaSalle Language Academy school building. The annual run was held by LaSalle Language Academy, 1734 N. Orleans St., to promote healthy living and fitness.

Fifth- through eighth-grade students ran a mile around the perimeter of the school building, which measured as 3.67 laps. Fourth-grade students ran 2.5 laps, second- and third-graders ran 1.5 laps, and kindergarten and first-grade students ran three-quarters of a lap around the school.

Officiated by physical education teacher Stewart Van Steen, more than 570 LaSalle Language Academy students finished the LaSalle Long Distance Classic, crossing the finish line in front of the Twin Anchors restaurant, 1655 N. Sedgwick St.

Here are the 2009 winners of the LaSalle Long Distance Classic:

Grade

Girls

Boys

3rd

Eleanor, Samantha

Jonathan, Diamond

4th

Mauria, Alessa

Quinn, Andrew

5th

Colette .

Harry

6th

Eva

Maxwell

7th

Brigid

Nicholas

8th

Rachel

Juan

Two winners were recognized for grades 3 and 4 because awards were given per class instead of per grade. All kindergarten through second-grade students received a blue ribbon for their efforts.

While no one is quite sure exactly when the LaSalle Long Distance Classic began, it has been a tradition at LaSalle Language Academy for more than 20 years.Virtually every student to walk the halls of the school has run the LaSalle Long Distance Classic, a unique and local rite of passage unlike any other in Chicago Public Schools.

In 1997, the LaSalle Long Distance Classic became an official measure of student progress for the mile-run. It’s such a popular event for the school that parents and teachers often choose to run with students.

The best time ever recorded by a boy for the mile-run of the LaSalle Long Distance Classic was 5 minutes and 56 seconds.The best time ever recorded by a girl for the mile-run of the LaSalle Long Distance Classic was 6 minutes and 12 seconds.

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Chicago Public Schools is the third largest school district in the United States with more than 600 schools providing education to approximately 400,000 children. Our vision is that every student in every neighborhood will be engaged in a rigorous, well-rounded instructional program and will graduate prepared for success in college, career and life.